Object Details
Manufacturer
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
Summary
Two ramps like this opened from the petal door of the Pathfinder Lander, allowing the Sojourner rover to exit the spacecraft once it had safely landed on the Martian surface in 1997. When images of the spacecraft and the rover on its petal were received on Earth, the flight team deployed the rover ramps. Once those ramps were unrolled, images of them and the terrain around their ends were sent back to Earth. Thereafter mission controllers commanded the rover to stand up and proceed down a ramp. From there it engaged in its science activities on the surface. These ramps were assembled on the Pathfinder engineering model in 2003.
NASA transferred this ramp to the Museum with the Pathfinder engineering model in 1999.
Credit Line
Transferred from Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
Inventory Number
A19990073004
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed-Parts & Structural Components
Materials
Metal, plastic, velcro, mylar
Dimensions
Overall: 2 1/2in. x 1ft 5in. x 4ft 5 3/4in. (6.4 x 43.2 x 136.5cm)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Location
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
Exhibit Station
Space Science
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nasm_A19990073004